Preparation and properties of microcrystalline cellulose/hydroxypropyl starch composite films

In this paper, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) composite films are prepared by the solution casting method, and the effect of different amounts of microcrystalline cellulose on the properties of the films is investigated. The structure of MCC/HPS composite materials is characterized by Fourier transform infra-red and scanning election microscopy, and thermal stability, mechanical properties, hygroscopicity, and water vapor permeability of the composite films are also tested. According to the test results, with increasing MCC amounts, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, and tensile strength of MCC/HPS composite films are improved, while the hygroscopicity and water vapor permeability of MCC/HPS composite materials are decreased. When the content of MCC reaches 6 wt%, the maximum increase of the glass transition temperature is about 9.63 °C, and the tensile strength of MCC/HPS composite films are increased by 300% compared with that of HPS films. Moreover, the addition of MCC helps to expand the application of hydroxypropyl starch in the packaging field.